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What should Swansea fans expect from Sam Clucas?

Sam Clucas celebrates a goal against Leicester City

A versatile, hard-working and intelligent midfielder. Hull City signed Clucas as a left winger, a position he played throughout his first season at the club, but the last 12 months have seen him predominantly used in a central role. That’s where he came into his own. Comfortable on the ball, he’s got a great passing range that links up play. There was talk of England boss Gareth Southgate scouting Clucas in the closing months of last season, a sure sign that a first term in the Premier League was taken in his stride.

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Paul Clement has spoken of wanting players who are versatile, does Clucas fit the bill?

Very much so. I’ve seen Clucas play as a holding midfielder, a number 10, a left winger, a left wing-back and a left back during his two years with Hull City. Clucas makes no secret of the fact he prefers a central role and that’s where he impressed most last season. He has that knack of making everything look very simple in congested areas.

What impressed you about him at Hull?

Sam Clucas at Hereford and Hull

An ability to learn and keep on progressing. I can’t imagine too many Hull City supporters were overly familiar with Clucas when he first arrived from Chesterfield but he showed there are some real diamonds in the lower leagues. Ever since he found his feet with Hereford in non-league, he’s been on a steep climb in a career that refuses to plateaux. I’m yet to see him fazed by a challenge put in front of him. Every Hull City manager he worked under (Steve Bruce, Mike Phelan, Marco Silva and Leonid Slutsky) has also praised Clucas’ professionalism and temperament.

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What are the areas you feel he can improve in?

He ought to score more goals. It took Clucas until March to score his Premier League goal last season and he followed that up with two more before the campaign was out. A wonderful strike in the win over Watford showed what he’s capable from distance and he’d accept it’s something he needs to do more often.

Do you expect him to be a success at Swansea?

Sam Clucas challenges Gylfi Sigurdsson (Image: Getty Images)

I see absolutely no reason why not, simply because of his history. Clucas has gone from the Conference to League Two, to League One, to the Championship and now he’s undeniably a Premier League player. That grounding has served him very well and there’s always been an appetite to reach out for the next level. Every challenge has been grasped with both hands.